Commenting on the King’s Speech, which sets out the Government’s
legislative agenda, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary
of the National Education Union, said:
“After hearing today's speech, parents and teachers may well
wonder if the Government has forgotten its responsibilities for
schools and colleges.
“Schools are underfunded, understaffed and crumbling. This is a
result of persistent neglect.
“There was no hint today of a long-term strategy that would get
to grips with the challenges facing education. It can only be
hoped that the Autumn Statement injects a considerable amount of
new money into the sector.
“Buildings are deteriorating and in desperate need of repair.
Staff are leaving in high numbers, and the Government is
consistently missing its own targets for new teachers. Real-terms
pay cuts not only add to the strain of working lives, but the
high workload drives teachers out of the profession and makes it
harder for leaders to find replacements. Schools are forced to
use teachers who are not qualified in the subject they teach.
This clearly takes its toll on pupils’ education.
“Without sufficient teachers to teach, the Prime Minister’s
ambition for a new Advanced British Standard will not be met.
There are simply not enough English and maths teachers to educate
11-16 year olds, let alone A-level students.
“We need a plan for the future of education, but is simply not delivering. This
is not even a government of make do and mend, but one of make do
and make worse.”
